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Wildlife officials: Early season euthanization of 2 bears in Boulder, Loveland 'concerning'

By Mitchell Byars, Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
06/13/2014 01:34:21 PM MDT

Updated:
06/14/2014 11:23:55 AM MDT

A bear that had been relocated from Broomfield tries to jump over a fence in Loveland on June 2. Three days later, Colorado Parks and Wildlife rangers euthanized the bear. (Jenny Sparks / Loveland Reporter-Herald)

Boulder-area bear encounters

Colorado Parks and Wildlife this week released a list of early season bear encounters in Boulder and the northern Front Range.

May 7: Sow and cubs spotted at Table Mesa and Vassar drives

May 12: Sow euthanized after being found sick near NCAR

May 15: Sow and two cubs seen in 1300 block of Meadow Avenue and 1400 block of Moss Rock Place

May 17: Sow and two cubs seen in 600 block of Juniper Avenue

May 19: Yearling reported near Table Mesa and Vassar

May 21: Yearling relocated from Boulder to Larimer County

May 21: Sow and two cubs climb tree on Poplar Avenue

May 25: Yearling bear spotted in Superior

May 27: Yearling bear relocated from Broomfield to Larimer County

June 3: Yearling bear spotted in Loveland neighborhoods

June 5: Yearling bear killed in Loveland

Boulder's ordinance requiring bear-resistant trash cans will kick in this summer, but Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports it already has seen heavy bear activity in the area — including a sick sow that was euthanized last month after it ate latex gloves and other trash.

On May 12, a sick, unresponsive sow was found near the National Center of Atmospheric Research, west of Table Mesa and Vassar drives, and had to be put down, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill.

The sow's two cubs, which had been seen with her, fled the area.

A necropsy of the bear found latex gloves, cellophane and antifreeze in its stomach, and Churchill said those items likely led to the bear getting ill.

Rangers also relocated one yearling bear from Boulder to Larimer County and reported several other bear sightings in May.

Another yearling bear was relocated from Broomfield to Larimer County in late May. It was spotted again in Loveland just days later, and wildlife officers killed it June 5 because it kept returning to residential neighborhoods.

"Having to put down two bears this early in the season is concerning to us," Churchill said. "However, we know with care and effort, citizens can keep bears away, keep their neighborhoods safe and help us keep bears wild and alive."

After four bears were shot last year in Boulder, the city created a new ordinance that requires all homeowners west of Broadway keep their trash in secure enclosures or bear-resistant trash carts.

"If we do a better job as a community of securing trash and compost storage, that will help protect the bears, increase public safety and allow bears and humans to better coexist in our shared areas," said Nick Grossman, communications director with the city's planning department. "If bears don't find easy and readily accessible food sources, they are more likely to return to better bear habitat."

Enforcement will start this summer with homes with alley trash service, and the ordinance gives the city manager the authority to expand the area in which bear-resistant cans are required if bear activity shifts to other parts of the city.

"Boulder has stepped up to the plate and committed to changes that will save bears' lives," Churchill said. "CPW supports Boulder's bear-resistant trash container ordinance for residents west of Broadway and expects it will save bears' lives."

But Churchill added that it will take more than bear-proof trash cans to keep the animals from wandering into residential neighborhoods. Bears also could be attracted by bird feeders, fallen fruit or any livestock and pets kept outside.

"Although bears will benefit from the forthcoming regulations, everyone needs to be aware that bears will follow their noses to available food sources," Churchill said. "If you care about bears or public safety, you should eliminate all attractants."